Ask an Agent
Have a question? We're here to help.
Ask an agent for free
Question

I swerved to miss a deer in the road, wrecked my car, and now my insurance company is saying that I'm considered at fault. Why is that?

The deer probably had a family somewhere and I love animals so I swerved to save the deer and wrecked in the ditch. I wasn't hurt or anything but my company is calling it an accident even though there was a deer in the road. How is this my fault?

Apr 10, 2016 Newton, KS

Answer
Author profile picture

The Zebra

The nation's leading independent insurance comparison site

The Zebra is an independent insurance advisor and quote comparison site with headquarters in Austin, Texas. Utilizing its real-time quote comparison …

Hitting an animal in the road falls under the category of a comprehensive insurance claim because animals do not follow road laws and can't be expected to avoid cars or roadways. It's the same general principle as hail damage. The incident changes to an at fault accident when you swerve to avoid the animal because the maneuver you chose to make caused the accident. Generally speaking, the resulting damage from hitting a deer is far less than the potential damage of driving off the roadway at a high rate of speed and having an accident.
Ask an Agent
Have a question? We're here to help.
Ask an agent for free

Insurance is complicated, but it doesn't have to be.

The Zebra searches all of the top insurance companies, in one place, so you can compare the cost and coverage you need to protect your car, home and other property.

Step 1: Tell us a little about yourself

Choose an insurance product and enter your zip code to get started.

Step 2: Sip your coffee while we find the best quotes

Enter the necessary information and then sit back while we find quotes from 100 top insurance carriers.

Icon Fill Form

Step 3: Compare your quotes

Compare quotes side-by-side to find the right match for you, whether it's home, auto, or more.

Icon Agent

Step 4: Let our agents do the hard work for you

Once you pick your policy, our agents are here to get you over the finish line. Then just relax and enjoy your savings.

Compare insurance rates today!

Location pin icon
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

Related Questions

Other people are also asking...

How do I dispute a driving record with AAA?

Unfortunately, the only way you can dispute a claim on your driving history is to contact LexisNexis, which is the software company that houses the database for accident reports. Keep in mind, if your collision coverage paid for your claim, then it will still be listed as an at-fault accident.You c…
Sep 21, 2018 Los Angeles, CA

Debris fell out of truck and damaged my bumper

I recommend you contact your insurance company and give them all the information regarding the accident. This includes photos of the damage to your vehicle, the highway name, time, the license plate of the at-fault driver, and a vehicle description. Providing as much information as possible will ne…
May 19, 2018 Bakersfield, CA

Do I have to file a claim with my insurance even when I'm not at fault?

I would not recommend speaking with your insurance company unless the other driver refuses to pay for the damages. Because you have the police report and hopefully the other driver's insurance information, you should call their insurance company and begin the claims process. If you do not have…
Mar 12, 2018 Wallkill, New York

Will an unreported car accident affect my premium?

If you were never cited for the accident and never filed a claim, there should be no insurance record of your accident. Insurance companies generally run two reports when you sign up for new insurance — your motor vehicle report (MVR) and another for claims history (CLUE). If they're clean, th…
Jun 1, 2020 Houston, TX